Speeches for Special Occasions are given with a specific purpose in mind: to remember, to pay tribute, to thank, to honor, or to accept. For our next unit, you will choose from one of the following options and prepare a 5 minute speech. Regardless of the option you choose, research will be involved. The person or award selected has to be current (famous within the last 10 years). Choose from one of the following options:
1. Eulogy or Tribute speech: a speech of praise that is usually delivered in honor of someone who has died (eulogy) or given for a person as an honor for an achievement (tribute). The speech highlights the finer qualities and accomplishments of the person, his/her contributions to society and his/her influence on people. These speeches are not simply biographical sketches, but incorporate personal experiences and stories of the individual as examples. Most speeches follow a chronological order, where the presenter provides early life information which formed the person he/she is speaking about. Use these events to show what the person has accomplished, what the person stood for (morals, values, beliefs), the nature of his/her influence on society, and his/her probably place in history.
2. Dedication speech: a speech presented to commemorate, to honor, or to praise the spirit of endeavor and progress which generally carries a serious tone. The speech should instill listeners with a sense of pride in their community, their school/workplace, their race/gender/group or in mankind as a whole. The most common speeches are given when dedicating monuments or new buildings sometimes named after the person or group of people most closely related to the event. Your goal is to compliment the ideals and achievements that the dedication structure symbolizes, thus giving the speech its specific purpose. Within the speech should be a chronological account of the events leading up to the present time. Place special emphasis on the sacrifice, work, ideals, and service that individuals upheld. Finally in the speech, you should focus on what the structure will represent and how it will be used.
3. Anniversary speech: a speech presented in commemoration of an event or occasion. Its purpose is to recall and remember the past so that we are more adequately able to serve the present and prepare for the future. In other words, it weighs the past -- many times the heaviness of it, observes the blessings of the present, and looks to the future optimistically. Elements of loyalty to family or country (patriotism) are usually contained within the speech. Anniversary speeches are usually given when there is a passing of time marked by a pause in which people lay aside their work long enough to note what has been accomplished. For example, 4th of July, 50th wedding anniversary, Thanksgiving, 10th anniversary of 9/11, 50th anniversary of U.S. first lunar landing, etc. Use a national holiday to learn why we celebrate it and what it means to our country, or choose an event in our nation's past or our community's past to commemorate. Throughout the speech, the wording you use should show why you are interested in this event or occasion and the personal connection you have to it.
4. Commencement speech: a speech to honor graduates at their commencement ceremony. The speech should congratulate the students and pay tribute to all of those who had a part in the students' education: parents, relatives, close friends, teachers, administrators, and other school employees. Another element of the commencement address is to reflect on past memories and traditions that are valued. While this is part of the speech that the students enjoy the most, it is vitally important that the events shared are ones that aren't exclusive to one group (those "inside jokes"). The organization of the speech is around a particular theme, supported with vivid examples that make events come back to life. Quotations from philosophers or other individuals are commonly utilized. Humor is often used, especially with past events, but their theme often resonates into the pride and seriousness of the occasion. The speech must leave the audience with a sense of accomplishment and an eagerness to move into the future with hope and promise.
1. Eulogy or Tribute speech: a speech of praise that is usually delivered in honor of someone who has died (eulogy) or given for a person as an honor for an achievement (tribute). The speech highlights the finer qualities and accomplishments of the person, his/her contributions to society and his/her influence on people. These speeches are not simply biographical sketches, but incorporate personal experiences and stories of the individual as examples. Most speeches follow a chronological order, where the presenter provides early life information which formed the person he/she is speaking about. Use these events to show what the person has accomplished, what the person stood for (morals, values, beliefs), the nature of his/her influence on society, and his/her probably place in history.
2. Dedication speech: a speech presented to commemorate, to honor, or to praise the spirit of endeavor and progress which generally carries a serious tone. The speech should instill listeners with a sense of pride in their community, their school/workplace, their race/gender/group or in mankind as a whole. The most common speeches are given when dedicating monuments or new buildings sometimes named after the person or group of people most closely related to the event. Your goal is to compliment the ideals and achievements that the dedication structure symbolizes, thus giving the speech its specific purpose. Within the speech should be a chronological account of the events leading up to the present time. Place special emphasis on the sacrifice, work, ideals, and service that individuals upheld. Finally in the speech, you should focus on what the structure will represent and how it will be used.
3. Anniversary speech: a speech presented in commemoration of an event or occasion. Its purpose is to recall and remember the past so that we are more adequately able to serve the present and prepare for the future. In other words, it weighs the past -- many times the heaviness of it, observes the blessings of the present, and looks to the future optimistically. Elements of loyalty to family or country (patriotism) are usually contained within the speech. Anniversary speeches are usually given when there is a passing of time marked by a pause in which people lay aside their work long enough to note what has been accomplished. For example, 4th of July, 50th wedding anniversary, Thanksgiving, 10th anniversary of 9/11, 50th anniversary of U.S. first lunar landing, etc. Use a national holiday to learn why we celebrate it and what it means to our country, or choose an event in our nation's past or our community's past to commemorate. Throughout the speech, the wording you use should show why you are interested in this event or occasion and the personal connection you have to it.
4. Commencement speech: a speech to honor graduates at their commencement ceremony. The speech should congratulate the students and pay tribute to all of those who had a part in the students' education: parents, relatives, close friends, teachers, administrators, and other school employees. Another element of the commencement address is to reflect on past memories and traditions that are valued. While this is part of the speech that the students enjoy the most, it is vitally important that the events shared are ones that aren't exclusive to one group (those "inside jokes"). The organization of the speech is around a particular theme, supported with vivid examples that make events come back to life. Quotations from philosophers or other individuals are commonly utilized. Humor is often used, especially with past events, but their theme often resonates into the pride and seriousness of the occasion. The speech must leave the audience with a sense of accomplishment and an eagerness to move into the future with hope and promise.
From 3/22:
Analyzing Tribute, Eulogy and Dedication speeches
Analysis of Sample Speeches
Prompts for Self-Evaluation